A 3-2 victory at Lymm ended Leigh Athletic's fine league campaign. This win guarantees a top three finish - but the three points deducted for a registration offence has denied them the chance to retain their title. Against Lymm they were never at their
SPEED ACE Damien Hack helped England to a 93-85 win over Scotland in the Junior Cycle Speedway International. The A&T rider won two races to score 15 out of a possible 20 points in Edinburgh. At the interval England looked a beaten side, trailing
A look back on days in history on May 21 with Mike Badham 1471: Lancastrian king Henry VI, the pious son of Henry V, was murdered in the Tower, aged 49. Yorkist Edward IV then came to the throne. In 1485, Richard III lost the battle of Bosworth and the
FIR TREE and Bedford Village are champions of the Bedford & District D&D League (sponsored by E Massey Transport). Foundry's M Saunders was the leading darts player with 29 wins, although his team ended the season mid-table, well behind Fir Tree
MARJORIE WILSON, who lives in the Lake District, recalls pre-war Whit Walks in Bury I WAS born in Bury, and in the 1930s Whitsun was one of the high-spots, rivalling even Christmas. As well as heralding summer, it was the time for new clothes and - the
COUNT up that change and donate it to Rossendale Hospice is the request of the penny pinching appea. Anyone who has collected change and not yet counted itt is invited to hand it in to the appeal when volunteers set up stall at the Asda store, Rawtenstall
PARENTS went back to school to learn more about childcare, first aid and other skills in courses run by Barnado's Blackburn Family Action Project. More than 50 parents from the Shadsworth estate were awarded certificates for completing the courses funded
SCHOOL playing fields will be opened up in a bid to get children off the streets. This is just one of the ideas being considered by the council to provide after school activities. This week, former Bury councillor Mr Sam Cohen called on the local authority
AN East Lancashire couple were in shock today after hearing that the luxury cruiseliner they holidayed on last week had caught fire and sunk while carrying some of the new-found friends they made on board. Maureen and Steve Kay, of Booth Road, Waterfoot
TWO drug dealers who supplied cannabis to their friends escaped a jail sentence when they appeared at court. John Hayton Dillon, 23, of North Street, and Steven John Walsh, 23, of Gladstone View, both Barnoldswick, were each given 100 hours community
IT was a case of survival of the fittest for a team of dedicated fund-raisers who travelled to three countries in 24 hours to tackle a trio of mountains. The workers, from James Halstead in Radcliffe, took part in the Three Peaks Challenge at the weekend
FIRE chiefs are demanding council bosses take action to stamp out fly-tippers in Kirklees Valley. At least five times every week, the local fire-fighting crews are requested to attend the valley to tackle rubbish fires started by children playing with
CONTROVERSIAL councillor Michael Moulding has decided NOT to resign from Preston Borough Council. Last Friday Coun Moulding sensationally decided to rejoin the Liberal Democrats -the party he defected from last year - to join the Labour Party after declaring
FORMER Liverpool star Steve Harkness could become Brian Kidd's first close-season signing as the Blackburn Rovers boss starts to rebuild his squad ready for a major promotion push, writes Peter White. Harkness, who moved from Anfield to Portuguese giants
SATURDAY marked the end of an era for Bury's popular outdoor market. After an association spanning 109 years, Margaret Henshaw's family-run flower stall closed for the last time. Margaret (pictured) has been operating from a temporary cabin after her
A MUSLIM teacher of the Koran obtained more than £16,000 in housing benefit to which he was not entitled. Blackburn magistrates heard that Bashir Hafejee repaid every penny before the police became involved after members of the Muslim community rallied
JOE Gray believes that he has a unique distinction. For 55-year-old Joe, now living in Claremont Road, Billinge, is convinced that he was the first-ever baby to be born on what was then the new Clinkham Wood council estate. And war baby Joe is so confident
TREBLE-chasing Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is set to join the chase for Blackburn Rovers defender Stephane Henchoz. And Aston Villa manager John Gregory has confirmed an interest in goalkeeper Tim Flowers, another man likely to quit Ewood this
I OFTEN read reviews in local papers and wonder just how accurate they actually are, well Greg Morgan in his review of the 'Boss' was spot on. My husband and I had the pleasure of enjoying the most amazing concert at the M.E.N. Arena last week end and
CRICKETERS at Leyland DAF must be feeling down in the dumps after crashing out of the Vaux Samson Cup by the tightest of margins. Playing Morecambe away from home, Daf found themselves the losers when both sides amazingly finished up 147 all out - but
IT was the proudest moment in the teenage life of Audrey Woods when she was crowned Rose Queen of Moss Bank before a crowd of hundreds of applauding parents and youngsters. And she was able to relive that happy memory again - 60 years later! - when she
WHO knows what hidden menaces lurk in the murky depths of our local canal? Certainly, reader R. Vaughton was greatly startled when toddling along the St Helens towpath, idly gazing along that watery stretch. Suddenly, there was a ripple on the surface
HILTON Dawson's letter (Citizen: May 13) is certainly correct in its opening about democracy but he belongs to a party that doesn't agree because it practises political/cultural racism. I am referring to the New Labour manifesto (page 33) which makes
IN this age of digital TV and remote-controlled CD systems, there are still a few greybeards around who can remember when home entertainment involved 'watering' the wireless set! Daniel Cunningham (79) of Kensington Avenue, Sherdley Park, first plugged
THE regions's four newest MPs have attended their first "House of Commons" debate... and they all come from our borough! Greenhill CP School's Christopher Rollinson (11) and Peter Hickford (11) and Wesley Methodist Primary School's Hayley Simm (11) and
A CONSULTATION exercise into the proposed closure of a tiny village school has been launched. Parents have vowed to fight the closure of Tosside Primary School tooth and nail. But a question mark hangs over its future after cuts in Government funding
THOUGH I've never experienced the delight of seeing a kingfisher in the wild (my nearest sighting was under a glass case in the local museum) I'm reliably informed that this magnificent bankside bird is making a modest comeback locally. Noted for a flash
BOSSES at Castle Cement in Clitheroe have decided to take some lorries off Ribble Valley roads in favour of delivering goods by rail. Trains will now deliver the 200 tonnes a week of iron oxide to the company's Ribblesdale plant, saving at least 35 lorry
IT'S a great honour to serve the borough at the dawn of the new millennium - that was the message from the new Mayor of Bury. Friends, family, councillors and invited guests packed into Bury Town Hall to see Councillor John Costello installed as the borough's
A TORY MP is calling for a top level meeting following the sacking of three members of a health trust board. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans wants to meet Health Secretary Frank Dobson in the wake of the sackings of the non-executive members of the Guild
STROKE victim John Jordan saw his beloved Manchester United clinch the Premiership on Sunday. John, 69, a client at Lyndhurst Residential Care Home in Leigh, was at Old Trafford thanks to the home's activity co-ordinator Clare Carroll. Mrs Carroll arranged
A TERRIFIED shop assistant threatened by two men armed with a machete managed to thwart the thieves by pressing a panic alarm button. The masked men, wearing black balaclavas, entered a newsagents on Corner Lane, Leigh, at 5.55pm on Saturday. They threatened
AS Bury Times readers are now aware, there was a terrible miscarriage of justice at Bury Church High School last Thursday when the entire GCSE exam year was suspended from school. As a Year 11 pupil who has enjoyed their time at the school, I was angry
TORRENTIAL rain brought nightmares flooding back for Blackmoor people. Last week's downpour resulted in floodwater gushing off playing fields and into back gardens in parts of Princes Avenue. A similar flood happened back in 1987. Pensioner John Smith
THE Citizen's generosity is admirable in my eyes and the people of Preston are so grateful to the newspaper, not only for the fact that it is free but because it has great content. It shows up all the other money-grabbing newspapers which have rocketed
I ADMIT, to my shame, that for the first time ever I failed to exercise my right to vote. Why? Because I could not find anyone to vote for! The Conservatives criticise Labour, but fail to offer a constructive alternative. The Labour party happily regurgitate
A WOMAN was cut from the wreckage of a car after her husband is believed to have suffered a stroke at the wheel. Doris Standish, 51, was travelling along Chapel Street, Leigh, with her husband James on Saturday when the crash happened. The car, driven
I WRITE regarding your story headlined: "School leavers excluded days before GCSEs", (Bury Times, May 14). I, too, am very upset but not for the same reason as other parents. You can't imagine my horror at seeing my daughter pictured in the newspaper
I RECENTLY read an article in the Citizen stating that "outraged residents on the Callon estate were up in arms at television ghetto claim". I can only assume that these residents own their homes and are afraid that it will affect the value of their properties
SHOPPERS were pew-ing up for their daily bread when Asda hosted the first-ever supermarket worship. Visitors to the Fulwood store on Monday left their trolleys in the aisles to give a holy new meaning to service with a smile. It is the first ever Christian
FEMALE volunteers are needed to staff the Preston Women's Refuge Domestic Violence Helpline. Offering support, information and advice to women experiencing domestic violence, the helpline needs women available to staff it for three hours each week on
WELL done Mr Steve Ratcliff and the rest of the governing body of Woodhey High School. By their collective indecision - some might even regard it as incompetence - they now need to appoint not only a new headteacher, but a deputy as well. The current
IT may be 50 years since the first was built, but the Canberra, designed in Warton, is still going strong today. Modern versions of the aircraft are currently in the air over Kosovo in a reconnaissance role and Nasa still operate two. The original designers
MICHAEL Bamber reckons he's tied the knot more than 10,000 times - but he's only said 'I do' once! Despite having heard those immortal words thousands of times, Michael has been the one doing the asking - as a superintendent at Preston Register Office
PENWORTHAM girl Sophie McDonnell is hoping to score full points, not nil points, when she heads off to woo the crowds at Europe's biggest music event. Sophie - who is part of all-girl group Precious, Britain's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest -
A GLOWING Ofsted report has delighted staff and pupils at Frenchwood County Primary School - and inspired them to brush up on their IT skills. Information technology is an area in which staff at the Preston school want to develop their abilities - so
A YEAR in the life of Mayor Rose Kinsella comes to an end today (Thursday) when she dons the mayoral chain for the last time. Coun Kinsella will make her last appearance as the borough's first citizen when she attends the opening of the Poet Estate Tenants
LANCASHIRE was almost at the top of a league table for police action against litter louts. Statistics published by the Tidy Britain Group showed that the county came equal second out of 42 police force areas in England and Wales, with 75 convictions in
MORE Lancashire schools have been named as "beacons" - lighting the way for others to follow. Broad Oak County Primary and Penwortham Girls' High School, both in Penwortham, along with Westwood County Primary, in Clayton-le-Woods, have been described
FLOWER power packed them in at Blackburn Council's nurseries during the borough's fifth Green Week Festival. More than 3,000 pot plants were on show at an open day at the nurseries, near Witton Park Visitor's Centre. The public also saw some of the 150,000
A WINNING draw against South Shore III (115-5) was thin reward for St Annes IV (187-6) on a day when their two Nigels made a vast contribution to the Fylde League division 2 match. The ever-dependable Nigel Bernstein batted for nearly the whole innings
THE force looks set to be with us 24 hours a day after cinema bosses in Preston were given permission to open round the clock for the launch of the new Star Wars blockbuster movie. When Star Wars: The Phantom Menace hits the silver screen this side of
THE RIBBLE Valley already has strong credentials for the revival of railways in East Lancashire. Now, it has steam up for more - as it is announced that Castle Cement in Clitheroe is to take more lorries off the road as it switches shipments of iron oxide
I COULDN'T believe it when I read (LET, May 13) that anyone who is upset over the Rovers' relegation could ring the Samaritans. While it is sad for both the Rovers and their fans, it's only a game, for goodness sake. Anyone who thinks they need such counselling
IT'S been nearly 20 years since Layton Institute won the Lancashire Small Table Snooker championship which they had dominated in the 70s. But they certainly set their stall out to make up for lost time this season. Captain Barry Whyatt gathered a magnificent
READERS might like to know my progress in swimming the 2,000 lengths and trying to raise £2,000 for Sharron Davies' Imperial Cancer Research appeal for the year 2000. I know I can do my bit of the swimming and hope to complete it by October. Also, I have
FOURTH Division newcomers Apples took the Allspeeds Cup with a convincing 5-1 win over Brierfield. Adam, Simon and Ian were in devastating form as the young guns took the first game 21-13, 21-13. Derek Parkinson pulled one game back for Brierfield to
CHORLEY are set to be saved from relegation after Hucknall Town have all but admitted defeat in their quest for promotion. The Magpies were set to drop into the UniBond First Division if the Nottinghamshire side got their ground up to scratch in time
IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes small-sided soccer league The Untouchables are now in the lead after they beat Wyvale Warriors 1-0. Holbro FC won their game against Kings Arms FC 3-1. Also with six points are Supreme Plastics who won 2-0 against Macprint
ALEXANDRA moved up into joint second place in the Ovalworld Super League when they completed a clean sweep 6-0 win over neighbours Witton. This was only the second success for the reigning champions and something of a surprise result against opponents
WHAT do hot dogs, non uniform days and five-a-side have in common? They all helped St Mary's RC High in Blackpool to raise £1,750 for various charities. Fund-raising reached fever pitch in the run-up to Easter and when the pennies were all counted representatives
WYRE Sharks swimming squad, took another step forward with some excellent team and individual performances at this year's Northern Counties' Sprint Championships on Saturday (May 15). This popular annual gala at Stockport continued to attract the best
REGARDING secondary school selection in East Lancashire, this year some children living in the Ribble Valley have been offered secondary school places outside the borough. Consequently, a campaign has been started to urge Lancashire Education Authority
CLAUDE Henderson is proving to be a fast-emerging star in his first season with East Lancs. But the South African all-rounder goes into a big weekend double-header stressing the value of teamwork for the EW Cartons Lancashire League side. The first round
AN unusual and rare piece of history is being restored to its former glory at a Lytham school. A heliochronometer, presented to King Edward VII School in 1924 in memory of a former pupil, is being renovated. Work on the device, which accurately tells
FLEETWOOD'S passage through to the second round of the Lancashire Cup at Broadwater was no more than a Sunday afternoon stroll (May 16). In a rain-reduced contest they easily defeated their Merseyside competition opponents Sutton by nine wickets. Sutton
AS Vice President of Help the Aged's celebrity support committee, Stage for Age, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and customers at your local Tesco store for adopting Help the Aged as their Charity of the Year in 1998. Thanks
IT'S all there in black and white - Northfold County Primary are champions when it comes to chess. The Cleveleys school has had a highly successful year culminating in a brilliant performance in the Saitek UK which sees them go forward to the national
"BULLY" for Lancashire ... and for England is a new book from Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1999, £28.00 ISBN 0 947 76650 2. Affectionately known as "Bully" to his team-mates and many admiring supporters, Ian Austin has been plying his trade with enthusiasm
COULD someone please explain why this so-called Labour government is spending millions of our taxes on waging war on a Third World country which has never been approved by the people who pay these taxes? All this is when here in England we have 1.5 million
I WOULD like to thank residents for their observations on the planning application for a proposed supermarket development in Queen Street, Great Harwood. A large number have engaged in the public consultation and debate which are essential aspects of
HAYDOCK Park has announced a bumper line-up for the summer as its prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday. The Centenary Grandstand will open at the end of May after a £3 million re-building programme. Then a feast of attractions on and off the course
THANK goodness something has been done about Leigh's scariest junction. It's miles better. I wonder how many drivers, like me, felt they were taking their lives in their hands every time they turned right off the by-pass into St Helens Road. Crossing
HOSPITAL waiting lists in the district have been reduced by 600, new figures reveal. Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust has reported a "significant reduction" in its waiting lists with more than 600 fewer patients waiting for treatment than in March last year
RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has launched a scathing attack on Secretary of State for Health Frank Dobson's handling of the Guild Community Healthcare Trust's management crisis. He is to meet Mr Dobson following the dismissal of three non-executive directors
RUBEROID Sutton Cricket Club pulled off a stunning victory over champions Caldy on Saturday. Batting first, Sutton declared at 197-6 after 108 from professional SS Das and good supporting knocks of 26 by Geoff Bowles and 25 from Sean Anders. Then 4-47
Lancaster 180-5 Blackpool 149-9 LANCASTER moved into the second round of the Vaux Samson Cup with a 31 runs victory over Blackpool at Lune Road. Put in to bat, Lancaster reached 180 for five of their allotted 45 overs. David Heywood and Brian Phillips
IT may be 50 years since the prototype first flew, but the Canberra bomber - designed in Lancashire - is still going strong. Photo-reconnaisance versions of the aircraft are currently in the air over Kosovo and NASA still operate two in America. Guests
TWO paragliders who crashed in mid-air and plummeted 300 ft to the ground have miraculously survived. Andy Lane, 41, of Carnforth, and Bob Green, 47, of Ulverston, collided while flying at Clough Head near Keswick. The canopies of their machines became
ROUNDERS players have embarked on the quest for trophy honours. The St Helens League has started its Stanley Jones Knock-out and the Emily Collins Cup. The former is restricted to Second Division clubs whereas the latter involves teams from both divisions
WHEN it comes to education these two schoolgirls are in a class of their own. On their final day at Queen Mary School in Lytham before GCSE study leave Jan Mitchell and Alice Darbyshire, both 16, have had only half a day off between them in five years
ST ANNES had a comfortable eight wickets victory over Fleetwood at Broadwater in the Vaux Samson Cup, first round . Russell Bradley won the toss and put Fleetwood in to bat. John Wright and Nic Coultas added 23 for the first wicket before the former was
FIFTEEN minutes of fame have arrived for a Lancaster University student whose face features in a new BT advertising campaign. Posters of Stuart King have gone up in phone boxes all over the country after the 21-year-old won a national search for "real
RAINFORD Cricket Club had a weekend to forget as both senior sides suffered defeats at the hand of their Southport Trinity counterparts. Trinity took first knock in the First XI fixture, got away to a brisk start, but were then pegged back by the accurate
SHOCK plans have been revealed to demolish the boating pool amphitheatre and surrounding rock gardens on St Annes promenade to build a crazy golf course. Mike Taylor, owner of Pleasure Island and member of the St Annes on Sea Marketing Consortium, wants
A MULTIPLEX cinema development in the heart of Lancaster is expected to be given the go-ahead at a planning meeting next week. The six-screen cinema plus shopping and residential units will be built at the Old Brewery site off Church Street. Planning
HAYDOCK Cricket Club entered their third season in The Southport League with high hopes. And so far those hopes have been justified as both First and Second are elevens on a winning streak. The return of Adrian Barr to the first team has given the club
AFTER reading Hilton Dawson's letter today I felt compelled to reply. I am one of the many Castle ward voters who decided against voting for Stanley Henig in last week's elections, as was my democratic right. I also believe that a democratic right in
ST HELENS Recs grabbed a two-run victory over Hightown in a low-scoring first league game of the season on Saturday. Losing the toss Recs were asked to bat on their own wicket. But they were soon in trouble as only Huyton (11) made double figures in the
THE Fylde Coast's Millennium mayors have been given a warm welcome to office by their fellow councillors. Councillor Henry Mitchell handed over the reigns at Blackpool to Bill Burgess, who has lived all his life in Marton, the ward he represents. However
A DEPLETED Lancashire Lynx side slumped to their eighth defeat in a row as Workington Town made short work of them in this 36-8 rout. Graeme Close, who scored 26 points in the game at Victory Park, was again a major problem for Lynx. The opening score
PEOPLE power plays its part - that's the theory behind our Citizen Player of the Month competition. Throughout the season, we have published a coupon each week on our sports pages giving fans the chance to pick their player of the season - and giving
THRILLER writer Max Telligan returns from a business trip to Munich to discover he is dead. Murdered! The traumatic revelation is enough to leave me all a dither; estranged wife Harriet (Margaret Hall) is bewildered, efficient secretary Liz (Jenny Hampson
SUNDAY produced a feast of thrilling football as the St Helens McDonald's JOL staged its Spring Cup Finals. And nowhere was there more drama than in the under 16s showdown, when Penlake needed extra time to defeat Rainford Rangers. Meanwhile, the league
THEY are the side that delighted the fans this season with some spectacular performances. But expect to see some new faces in the side from next season. Just days after the end of the current term, speculation is already mounting about who will appear
THE Rainhill Byrne Hire League is uniting with St Helens Council to stage a mini football competition. It caters for for under nines and is staged at Selwyn Jones Sports Centre, Newton-le-Willows, this Saturday (9.30am). RESULTS Spring Cups Under 15s
A NEW-LOOK junior school was opened in Hindley Green on Tuesday. After three years of disruption, and work costing £597,000, the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool (Rt Rev Vincent Malone) dedicated and formally opened a bigger Sacred Heart RC Primary. The
AFTER pulling off the save of his life to keep Preston in the lead, David Lucas chose the most important game of the season to commit his biggest howler. Four minutes after receiving a round of applause for an acrobatic save, the England Under 20 keeper
IT was a miserable weekend for UNSWORTH as they followed up a poor performance in the Central Lancashire League with a first round exit from the Wood Cup. They entertained Norden on Saturday and were summarily dismissed for a quite inadequate 121. Only
TEXTILE group French is moving into a new market. The firm, which owns Northern Textiles in Burnley, is diversifying into the webbings market used for a range of applications including harnesses and luggage straps. The new production will be based at
CHILDREN are helping plan ways of making going to school safer. Two Atherton schools have been chosen to launch a pilot scheme because of the high level of accidents in their vicinity. Traffic calming measures, including a 20 mph speed limit, road humps
A POLICE sergeant saved a man from drowning off South Pier on Sunday (May 16) evening. The drama started when the coastguard took a mobile phone-call from a man saying he was going into the sea to take his own life. The coastguard alerted police and kept
STAFF at a popular pub are celebrating after being officially declared the cleanest and brightest in St Helens. For the fourth year running, Greenalls pub The Griffin at Bold Heath has been awarded the Health and Hygiene accolade by St Helens Council,
A DREAM school trip for local youngsters has become an unexpected casualty of NATO's bombing campaign. An exchange visit to Budapest for local primary school pupils has been cancelled because of the Balkan conflict. Concerned teachers axed the trip when
PRESTON'S promotion dream died the most agonising death in front of 1300 Northenders at the Priestfield Stadium and more than 6,000 watching via the big screen at Deepdale. Level after the first leg, Preston needed a 1-0 win to ensure passage to the Wembley
MEDIA personality Kelvin MacKenzie is reportedly looking to expand his broadcasting empire by buying the local Bay Radio station in which jailed tycoon Owen Oyston has a stake. An article in the Sunday Times claims MacKenzie's TalkCo company, which runs
A NEW police operation to crack down on crime in Bury has proved unlucky for 13 "shoppers". That is the number of people arrested during the first week of Operation Hampton, a spin-off from December's festive Operation Blinder. About a dozen officers,
ORGANISERS of a reunion party for former Penketh High School pupils are trying to trace five old classmates who came from the Clock Face area. The party, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of leaving school in 1974, is being held at St Joseph's Social
THE 130 pupils who were excluded from Bury CE High School will finally receive their Records of Achievement tonight. Parental pressure forced headteacher Mr Philip Grady to reschedule the Leavers' Service which he originally cancelled. He ordered the
LONG summer holidays could be axed in local schools! A citizens' jury found the break 'guilty' of harming children's education. And the jury, set up to examine holiday patterns at local schools, voted to get rid of the traditional six-week break. Their
A UNIQUE 'clean sweep' of civic duties was claimed when Liberal councillor Edwina Sargeant donned the robes and chains of office, to become Pendle's Millennium Mayor. Coun Sargeant became the first person in the borough to have held the offices of deputy
OUTGOING mayor Abbot Bryning criticised negative campaigning and 'vilification' which 'cast a shadow' over the recent elections this week. Cllr Bryning who is the new Labour leader used his outgoing address as mayor to make the criticisms as he handed
LITTLE Jack Bannister is a kid in three million. But nothing has come easy during his 13 months of life. Born seven weeks premature, battling Jack has overcome five operations in his fight for survival - and now faces a giant struggle which mum and dad
PROFITS at a company which employs more than 1,000 people across East Lancashire have slumped by more than £6 million in the last 12 months. Fine Art Developments, which includes Express Gifts in Nelson, Clayton-le-Moors and Church, as well as Nelson
THE curtain is about to rise on a new era for the Theatre Royal. For, from September 1, 1999 the Theatre Royal (St Helens Trust) will assume direct responsibility for the management and operation of the Corporation Street theatre. Gerry Henebery, chairman
DETECTIVES investigating the firebomb planted at Crofters Fold, Heysham, say they have had a positive response after it appeared on Crimewatch. Police say the public's response to the programme has opened up new avenues of investigation. The firebomb
A MAN wearing a black motorcycle helmet and brandishing what appeared to be a shotgun, burst into the High Street branch of the Halifax bank at about 3.50pm on Thursday, May 13 and threatened a woman cashier. The raider ordered her to hand over cash but
BUSINESSES offering accommodation in Bury are being sought for an updated guide to the borough. Bury Metro's Tourist Information Centre is revamping its already popular booklet. The planned 24-page publication, which should be available by mid-summer,
ATTENTION all former Gunners! This is the final bugle call to veterans of 596 and 436 Regiments of the Royal Artillery to muster at the Navy Club, Volunteer Street, on Wednesday, May 26, at 19.45 hours prompt. A a memory-jerking reunion of all ranks is
TAKING a break from producing machinery to help farmers feed postwar Britain are fitters from Leigh engineering firm Harrison, McGregor and Guest. The Albion foundry was a hive of industry producing a famous range of farming implements. This photograph
SOLICITORS Clough & Willis are continuing to expand in Bury with a new partner joining the firm. Tim Gray becomes the second partner in the litigation department, headed by Chris Macwilliam. After training in Manchester, he came to the firm in 1994
RETIRING mayors from Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre will leave much more behind than fond memories this year. Local charities are to have their coffers well and truly filled with cash thanks to the hard work and dedication of former first citizens Henry Mitchell
POLICE have are appealing to members of the public to help them trace a teenage girl who stole a 79-year-old woman's handbag as she tended to a grave. The pensioner was at a graveside in St James Church, Church Road, Haydock, at about 10am on Saturday
IN military terms Leigh might have lost the battle - but they can still go on and win the war. But the injury-ravaged squad must now re-group and go forward again with tough games against Hull KR and Hunslet just around the corner. Their 25-16 defeat
PIONEERING Bury manufacturer Faith Products Ltd has 200 reasons to celebrate its 25th birthday. That's the percentage profit increase the company has enjoyed in the past year - with help from Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Link. The company, which
A WOMAN from the West Midlands has contacted the Star in a bid to trace the whereabouts of a granite carved cross which her uncle made in the 1930s. Phyllis Bateman, who lives in Halesowen, believes the cross, which stands at over 12 feet tall and depicts
PLANS to create a Millennium home for Unsworth Cricket Club have been hit for six. Despite winning Bury Council approval in January, the club and North West developers Bellway Homes must now face a public inquiry. Towards the end of last year, Bellway
A GRIEVING father, whose partner died weeks after giving birth to their second child, has won £122,500 damages from Bury and Rochdale Health Authority. The Authority agreed to an out-of-court settlement in the case brought by Mr Guy Rothwell, 42, of Spinney
BURY health bosses deny claims that ovarian cancer patients are getting a bad deal. A report by the Cancer Research Campaign claims that ovarian cancer patients in the North West may fare worse because local surgeons are failing to meet national treatment
THIEVES broke into an industrial unit at the weekend and stole three furniture vans, two of which were loaded with sofas and suites worth thousands of pounds. The vans were stolen sometime overnight between Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, from an
A FEEDING code at Sherdley Park's Pets Corner has been introduced to protect animals that suffer minor health problems when fed by the public. Visitors to the corner are asked to follow the code which includes: Don't feed: Bread as too much is harmful
STATUTORY notices concerning the closure of Brandlesholme CP School have been posted around the borough today. The notices are on display at the school, at Bury Town Hall and in the Bury Times classified section. The decision to close is based on falling
CARMEL Sixth Form College has been given a glowing report - and a healthy cash boost. The college in Prescot Road is one of only four in the North West and 10 in the whole of England to be awarded 'Beacon' status as an example of excellence following
BURY Times reporter Karen Fraser jumped at the opportunity to raise more than £300 for a local charity. She swapped the newspaper office for an airfield in North Lincolnshire to complete a 3,500ft parachute jump in aid of Pretswich Lions Club. It is the
NEW Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Pat Jackson, was sworn in at the traditional Mayor Making ceremony at St Helens Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday). Councillor Jackson (49) has been a member of Bold Parish Council since 1995 and has represented the Sutton
THE word party has taken on a whole new meaning for bubbly student Caroline Lawson. For the 21-year-old, who is currently studying for a BA Honours Degree in Public Policy Management at De Montford University in Leicester, is the toast of the Conservative
IT was very much a case of too little too late for Blackpool in their Vaux Samson first round cup tie at Lancaster on Saturday (May 15). Chasing the home side's 45-over total of 180-5, Blackpool's top order was demolished for 51 runs and only David Bartholomew
PRIMARY school children from the borough will be taking part in Walk To School Week next week as part of the campaign to highlight safety issues. The campaign highlights the benefits of reducing congestion and pollution around schools. As part of the
HAVE you got your ticket yet? Pupils who left Unsworth Comprehensive School in 1978 will hold a 21st anniversary reunion next Friday, May 28. The night of nostalgia will take place at Whitefield Snooker Club from 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Castlebrook
TYLDESLEY swimmers struck gold in the Northern Counties age group championships at Wigan. Richard Hampson swam a PB in the Men's 200 freestyle for gold. Khalid Jhugroo won the 400 IM (PB-NQT) and took silver (NQT) in the 14-Year 200 breaststroke; he also
A COUNCIL officer who was sacked after she was accused of allocating a house to her brother has taken her case to an industrial tribunal. Rukshama Desai has taken Blackburn with Darwen Council to an industrial tribunal at Manchester after losing her job
MOTORISTS from Lancashire are to be told in no uncertain terms that they will pay the penalty if they are caught speeding on the M6. Lancashire police have caught more than 1,000 drivers breaking 50mph temporary speed limits on sections of the M6 where
THEIR wedding day was even better the second time round for Bill and Margaret Box, who renewed their marriage vows surrounded by family and friends at the East Lancashire Hospice. Bill has been a day therapy patient for two years and the couple decided
FOUR clubs are so far in the hunt for released Clarets striker Kevin Henderson. Darlington and Torquay have joined Halifax and Third Division play-off finalists Scunthorpe in expressing an interest in the 24-year-old, who was one of 12 players handed
THE deputy head who was controversially turned down for the top job at Woodhey High School, Ramsbottom, is to leave. Mrs Lynn Dunning is to take up a post as headteacher at a high school in Darwen. But she leaves at the end of the present term - after
RICHARD Graves claims to have been involved in "deep discussions" with the county council over the future of Fair Elms... it's a shame he didn't understand what he was told. Simply, Social Services are responding to what older people want, services that
ANGRY motorists are claiming mobile phone equipment sited on the roof of Prestwich's Longfield Suite is interfering with car alarms - and even leaving them locked out of their vehicles. Now they are demanding immediate action by Dolphin Telecommunications
BURY people are being urged to rally round to help the town's first refugees from war-torn Kosovo who will arrive in 12 days' time. Donations and volunteer helpers are urgently needed to make a safe haven for 100 refugees who are scheduled to come to
I WOULD like to thank the people of Carnforth for electing me to represent them as an Independent on Lancaster City Council. The warmth and generosity shown towards Julie and me by so many people, during and after the election, has been wonderful. During
I FEEL that our local MP has lost the plot completely. He must have been wearing his social worker's hat when he wrote the letter that appeared lat week, (Citizen: May 13). Possibly having been brainwashed by political correctness, he now has to read
VOTERS have just three weeks to make up their minds what to do in next month's European elections. And those who make the trip to the polling booth on Thursday June 10 will find that it's all change. For the first time in England, the result is to be
ON June 10 it's the elections for the European Parliament and a new voting system will be in place for the first time. For the past 20 years, we in the UK have had large Euro constituencies with MEPs representing them. For instance, I represent the whole
IT was reassuring to read of the promised return of the three ex-councillors for Castle ward (Citizen: May 13) do they not think that the voters might have a say in this? The letter says the voters of Castle ward have spoken but have Henig, Sutton and
I AM a local mother of two children, a girl aged nine years and a boy aged seven, and I am writing about my concerns about the road that I live in. One Sunday my son was playing in the road where we live, when a car taking a short-cut through the estate
I WAS very worried when I read Hilton Dawson's letter about Stanley Henig and racism and then I became even more worried when I remembered that he is not merely a member of the public but an M.P. who ought to know better. According to Dawson, the slogan
I WRITE in reply to last week's letter regarding the MP for Lancaster calling for a debate on racism. As the Independent candidate for Skerton West where Hilton Dawson lives I thought I would give my side of the argument. As the person who delivered the
THE JOURNAL is helping visitors tune-in to Leigh's proud heritage. We've stumped-up £1,600 and combined with the Council in throwing out a warm welcome. Colourful new signs recording Leigh's proud past and pointing to a bright future are going up on main
WHERE does discipline start and finish at Bury CE High School? Although I agree that the perpetrators of the end-of-term pranks described in the Bury Times should be punished, what about the innocent pupils, the ones who haven't even handed in late homework
LEE TURNER has the world at his feet! The 11-year-old has danced his way to a European title - in less than 12 months. He won the UCWDC Junior Youth Intermediate (Male) competition in Kerkrade, Holland at the 5th annual Country Western Dance Championships
LEGAL support for poor and vulnerable people in Bury is under threat from government plans to reduce the number of law firms who can help people on legal aid. The Access to Justice Bill, which started its House of Commons stages from early March, contains
YOUR article called Look, Dive and Vanish caused me some amusement, but the apparent mix-up of the Home Guard and the ARP services was a bit out of line. ARP (Air Raid Precautions) was born before the war had commenced. There was the fear of raid damage
MY master has been reading some interesting points to me from the Bury Times (April 30). Firstly, regarding the excellent news that the council is to provide poop waste bins. My master is very pleased because he always scoops my poops, but he doesn't
WIGAN Council is again opening up its Community Treasure Chest. Voluntary and community groups all over the area are invited to apply for funding. The popular fund is paid for by Wigan Council and Douglas Valley Community Ltd, the successor organisation
I READ David Higgerson's article (May 6 issue), about lorry jobs "at risk". I would like to suggest that hackney carriage drivers are in a worse dilemma. It costs in the region of £30,000 for a new hackney carriage (with interest). We have to have the
SCHOOLCHILDREN are to be involved throughout the launch of a nationwide campaign in Preston. Pupils from St Ignatius RC Primary, Ribbleton Avenue Infants and Holme Slack County Primary were given talks about alternative forms of transport to the car for
GREENLANDS Post Office, Preston, will open up in new premises next Thursday (May 27). The office will move from 186 Ribbleton Avenue to 217 - 219 Ribbleton Avenue. Nick Moriarty, retail network manager for Post Office Counters, said: "We are pleased to
LITTLE Jack Bannister is a kid in three million. But nothing has come easy during his 13 months of life. Born seven weeks premature, battling Jack has overcome five operations in his fight for survival - and now faces a giant struggle which mum and dad
HAVING been a pigeon fancier for more than 40 years, I feel I must reply to the derogatory remarks of Messrs Woodall and Corcoran (Your Letters, May 14). Their ignorant descriptions of pigeons as "filthy creatures", "flying rats" and "vandals" left me
I HAD hoped that we had put aside the parochial churlishness displayed by "Ramsbottom Trader" (Your Letters, May 7). It was quite obvious to any reasonable person that Labour's slogan "Building a Better Bury" applied to the whole of the metropolitan borough
FORGET Stratford, the Bard centre of the world is set to become a village near Preston after plans were unveiled for a £40 million Shakespeare shrine. Experts from around the globe have flocked to Hoghton Tower, which is believed to have employed William
THE Comrades Club on Adelaide Street in Blackpool has the best snooker team of its entire history - achieving a double which has never been done in the snooker league before. Ever since its founding after the First World War, the Comrades Club has entered
SURELY, your headlines on Thursday, May 13, should have read: 'Man defending disabled son has throat slashed' rather than Rovers relegated, tears and cheers." Or is football more important than attempted murder? JANE SINGLETON (Mrs), Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors
CARING staff at St Catherine's Hospice have boxed up a clever idea for raising vital cash for the charity with the launch of a 'small change box' for loose change. More than 6,500 colourful boxes have been sent to residents and businesses on the Hospice's
BUS and rail users in Preston and Leyland are being asked for their views on the future of public transport across the county. Through a new consultation document available at town halls, libraries, leisure centres and county information centres, members
Andrew, who plays at Clitheroe, went into their quarter final match this morning in confident mood having never lost to 19-year-old Hudson in matchplay. Hudson ended the hopes of Blackburn's Claire Blackshaw on the 18th yesterday before she then toppled
ON behalf of our members, I would like to thank Blackburn 83 Round Table for their generous gift of £100 towards our trip to Blackpool's 'Ice Show' in June. We are really grateful for their help. ALICE PHILLIPS (Mrs), (Secretary, Blackburn and District
SURPRISE defeat of the week was the Knockout Cup win by Burnley Road A away at First Division Ribblesdale Wanderers B. Close on the heels of this came the defeats of both Second and Third Division leaders Salesbury Blues, losing at home to Rushton St
DARWEN face a double date at the seaside this weekend, with Vaux Northern League and national knockout cup games against Morecambe. Defending their 100 per cent record, Darwen travel to Morecambe in the league tomorrow with an unchanged side. But Sunday's
SPORTING achievement at Lytham St Annes High technology College has earned a prestigious award. The Sportsmark is presented to schools which show commitment to developing sport to a high level both with the school and the local community. This year many
IN this week's Game File, we take a look at some of the latest news and scandals to be hitting the game scene, and we take a look at Tanktics on PC and R-Type Delta on Playstation. A ground-breaking legal case looks set to fuel the argument about violence
FRENCHWOOD player Mick Nelson moved to the top of the Super League individual merit awards, sponsored by Brownhill-based financial adviser Terry Sayers, with a terrific performance at Railway Lostock that yielded 12 aggregate points for his 21-9 win.
LANCASHIRE had a mountain to climb to avoid a third consecutive championship defeat today, thanks to Old Trafford old boy Jason Gallian. The new Nottinghamshire captain, who was out for a duck in the first innings on Wednesday, gained his revenge with
IT IS not as if the Liberal Democrats of Pendle were showing their nasty, petulant face for the first time last night when they plunged the running of the council into chaos. After all, the verdict of the Tory group leader on their style while in control
MANY of your readers will be aware of a new campaign launched by the NSPCC aimed at putting an end to the thousands of horrific cases of child abuse that take place in the UK every year. Like many readers, I have been concerned by cruelty to children
A WOMAN who thought her purse containing £700 had been stolen, has contacted the Star to praise the honesty of an anonymous good Samaritan who handed it in at a town-centre restaurant. Brenda Gorst, who is visiting St Helens from her home in Tennessee
EDENFIELD skipper Brett Storey is looking to professional Mike Smethurst to come good against reigning Jennings Ribblesdale League champions Padiham and county colleague Mark Harvey at The Arbories tomorrow. Storey has been taking more notice than most
THE opening sessions of play in the Alexandra Classic sponsored by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and Scottish and Newcastle Retail were won by three local competitors, Malcolm Wensley from Clitheroe and Blackburn men Vincent O'Donnell and John Rushton
A HUSBAND and wife team have forged a unique partnership worth £17,000 between the schools they work at. Carolyn Clay, reception co-ordinator at Claremont Primary, and her husband Peter, senior master at Langdale Independent Preparatory School, are celebrating
MOORE & SMALLEY PALACE SHIELD Division A: BAe Preston 87-6, M Hothersall 43, C Fenton 3-30 - *Harris Park 164, D Fazackerley 52, S Kay 37, S Simons 5-51; Fylde 99, R Fox Andrews 4-24, C Parker 3-34 - *Garstang 101, S Horne 33, J Tarbox 4-14, C Williams
YMCA U11s 2 FOXHALL BOYS 1 YMCA added the Hogan Cup trophy to their league runners-up medals with this victory on Sunday. After both sides started nervously YMCA began to find their usual rhythm and took the lead in the 10th minute from the penalty spot
ON your marks! Entries are being taken for the 1999 Selwyn Sprint Triathlon. This gruelling event, staged at the Selwyn Jones Sports Centre, Newton-le-Willows, takes place on Sunday, July 4. It involves a 250-metre swim, a six-mile cycle and a two-mile
PUPPET power hit Blackpool at the weekend (May 15-16) with the grand climax of Puppet Up '99. A parade of giant puppets, with jazz and samba bands, brought visitors and residents flocking to the town centre to enjoy a cavalcade of colourful figures, from
CALLOUS thieves have been targeting collection boxes left in pubs to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The sickening raids were revealed at the annual meeting of the charity's Morecambe and Heysham branch. Collection box secretary
CARMEL Allison is officially the Cleveleys champion poet after having her work printed in the 1999 National Poetry Anthology which prints the best poems from all over the UK. The literary lady from Whitley Avenue, answered the call to find new poetry
COUNCIL tax switchboards in Burnley rang hot after disgruntled householders were sent non-payment reminders - even though they had arranged for the bills to be met by Abbey National standing order. Complaints flowed in after they were included among the
E-DAY is just around the corner for Fylde folk and the atmosphere is electric. From Monday (May 24) 110,000 homeowners in the region will be able to change their electricity supplier and shop around for the best deal. To celebrate deregulation British
A HIGH speed police chase from Lancaster ended up with a man being cut out of his vehicle and taken to hospital yesterday (Wednesday). Now Lancashire police have launched an inquiry into the use of 'stingers' - tyre puncturing devices - in chases. They
Aldwinians 38 West Park 20 CHAMPIONSHIP and promotion positions in North West leagues had already decided, so West Park were forced to fulfil this game of no consequence with an extensive injury list. But club officials expressed unstinted post-match
TRADES council leaders from Burnley have given their backing to a call for Nato to stop bombing Yugoslavia. The Lancashire Association of Trade Union Councils has written to all Labour MPs asking them to press the Government for a cessation of action
Morecambe 147 Leyland DAF 147 MORECAMBE went through to the second round of the Vaux Samson Cup by virtue of a faster run rate overall. After 25 overs Morecambe had scored 80 runs against 50 from Leyland Daf. The mainstay of Daf's innings was opener Stuart
RUGBY League fans are going to be spoiled for choice this weekend. For apart from Saints' big clash with Warrington, there's a feast of top quality amateur entertainment in store. Because the Blackbrook club is playing host to a series of county championship
A LANCASTER therapist and football fan Steve Lewis is offering help to all those driven mad by the beautiful game. An event called Ballwatching will be held at the Friends Meeting House in the city on Saturday, May 29, between 10am and 4pm. It's a unique
ANGRY Saints' coach Ellery Hanley has denied reports that he was instrumental in signing Australian forward Phil Adamson. Dubbed 'the Tower,' 6ft 4in Adamson signed for Saints from Penrith Panthers before Ellery arrived last August, but has made only
LANCASTER'S flourishing nightlife is to feature on film - courtesy of Lancashire Constabulary. A mobile video surveillance unit is to home in on potential late-night hot spots during busy weekends to help local police identify potential troublemakers.
ST HELENS CC suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Newton-le-Willows at the weekend. They were never in the hunt after crashing to 73 all out losing the last six wickets for eight runs in the process. Only Roger Burrows (22) and Bappa Mukherjee (
I AM writing to thank everybody at the Citizen and all who have passed on their good wishes from across the Fylde Coast since news of my cancer was made public last week (Citizen, May 13). I wanted to tell my story in the hope it would raise awareness
Blackbrook 12 Haydock 30 HAYDOCK produced a courageous and disciplined performance to take the St Helens Hays Chemicals Trophy. Heavy rain before the start made the Knowsley Road pitch and the ball very greasy and the opening 40-minutes period was littered
HARD-CORE campaigners protesting against the redevelopment of the former Leys Road allotments in Blackpool should think about the effects of their actions on other gardeners. That's the verdict of town hall chiefs following the attempts of Leys Road Action
I WONDER if Citizen readers can help me. I am a social historian researching the various badges worn by people in their line of work. At one time most industries produced their own membership, merit and highly-prized 25 years' service badge - bus companies
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 23 Saints 22 SUPER League leaders Saints' 100 per cent record lay in ruins at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium on Friday as the newly-promoted Wildcats brought off the shock result of the season. A 76th-minute drop goal by Lynton
ROWDY visitors boost central Blackpool's annual crime rate to seven times the national average, according to an article by Barbara Crossley (Citizen, April 29). An obvious way of fighting it is to let the rowdy visitors fight each other with humane safeguards
A FISHING shop owner was let off a £20,000 hook by magistrates in a dispute with Blackpool Council over security shutters. The council had asked for a maximum £20,000 fine and £160 legal costs on Carl Lawton for refusing to change his solid shutters at
The looks on the faces of the fans said it all on Wednesday night as they watched the match on a screen at Deepdale. More than 6,000 fans turned up at Deepdale to watch the match, pictured, and 1,300 travelled down to the Priestfield Stafdium to see the
RED Star Rainford's exciting Tom Worrall Cup runcame to an end in an incident packed final when they went down 1-2 to Eccleston United. Eccleston as they proved what a good St Helens Combination club and team they are by playing some attractive and exciting
SIR, - IT would appear that a good deal of misinformation is being spread about the Poulton supermarket proposals (Citizen, May 6). First, it cannot be a case of saying 'no' to all supermarkets. It could be argued that following the closure of Kwik Save
HOST families are needed in Thornton to take a Chernobyl child for a month this autumn. The appeal is going out from the Friends of Chernobyl's Children, whose Thornton branch has brought groups of disadvantaged youngsters from Belarus to the Fylde for
THE local government ombudsman has been called in by Lancaster and Morecambe parents to investigate the appeals system for children entering secondary schools. The parents are furious that their children have been told they must attend Skerton High School
NOT only are Lancashire Lynx allergic to winning, they are now facing a major injury crisis. Lynx extended their losing streak to eight games after the 8-36 demolition by Workington Town away from home on Sunday. And things aren't looking too good for
THE money problems of Lancaster and Morecambe? Lack of trust of the people in the local authorities? The crumbling buildings and businesses in the district? The solutions to these problems facing the new regime at the city council are easy - it's all
THE new leader of Hyndburn Council is to temporarily step down, just days after taking up the reins of power. Conservative Peter Britcliffe has been forced to pass on his leadership responsibilities to his deputy, Coun Jim Dickinson, due to ill health
GIGG Lane plays host to what promises to be a day to remember on Sunday as two of Rugby League's greatest rivals come head-to-head. Swinton Lions entertain Oldham Roughyeds on a special day, in more ways than one. As well as the history which surrounds
CITY councillors will consider Lancaster City FC's planning application for major ground improvements on Monday. Officers at the council recommended that the councillors accept the proposals. The Citizen exclusively revealed that club wanted to build
VICTIMS of crime in Hyndburn will be able to keep in touch with police thanks to a new scheme sponsored by local businesses. Police in Great Harwood have joined forces with several firms to buy mobile phones which are being given out to vulnerable residents
Swinton Lions 14, Keighley Cougars 15 THE Lions lost out to the Cougars in a tense finish at Gigg Lane on Sunday. The first half was full of very open football but the second half turned into a war of attrition. The Lions drew first blood when Keighley
UNHAPPY Hag Folders are asking how much pain do they have to endure before an end is put to their suffering. Residents have repeatedly complained to the local authority about disturbances from the neighbouring Gregory Avenue children's home in Atherton
CITIZEN PNE reporter Tom Parker believes North End's supporters are simply fan-tastic. Writing especially for We'll Support You Ever More, he explains why... It is easy to be a supporter of the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal because they go on
A FORMER soldier who knifed an old school enemy has been jailed for three years, nine months. Martin Cooke, who was on leave from the Royal Green Jackets when he attacked John Robb outside an Accrington club, left his victim with a two centimetre wound
SHAKERS assistant boss Ron Reid this week became the first casualty of the club's drop into Division Two. Neil Warnock's right hand man was released on Monday due to financial reasons with chairman Terry Robinson describing the parting as 'amicable'.
CELEBRATING industrial heritage and hailing a bright economic future are the new Mayor of Hyndburn's themes for the year ahead. Coun Bernard Dawson also promised to stay outside the political fray after taking the chains of office during a ceremony at
THE search is on for Greater Manchester's first Young Citizen of the new Millennium. The annual Greater Manchester Young Citizen of the Year awards recognise the commitment demonstrated by young people across the region in helping others in the community
PRESTON North End have a small squad, which has been stretched to the limit over the season. Teuvo Moilanen is an established member of the Finnish international squad, and has been impressive between the posts ever since his arrival in 1996. Has been
RUGBY maestro Jason Robinson is coming to Leigh. The Wigan and British international star will cut the cake at Monday's opening of a new service to help young homeless people. "Homelessness is society's problem," said the winger known as Billy Whizz.
MY brother's wedding was planned with the kind of military precision that should have left nothing to chance. The frontline troops of best man, bridesmaids, ushers and groomsman knew exactly where they had to be, what they had to do and when. And woe
A LAW firm has launched a new serious crime department. Farleys has set up the specialist unit to deal with major cases such as murder, commercial fraud and conspiracy to supply drugs. "We have attracted more and more serious and complex cases as time
THE Archdeacon of Lancaster, Robert Ladds, is being promoted to Bishop of Whitby. The delighted cleric, a father of three and former chemist, will start his new job on September 29 at a service of Consecration in York Minster. Archdeacon Ladds said: "
BREWERS Whitbread believe the rest of 1999 will be a time to toast bumper sales. With the rugby and cricket World Cups taking place in the UK followed by the millennium, the firm believes sales of 'take home' products will rocket. The firm, which employs
TEACHER'S union chief Christine Blower visited the district this week to rally opposition to the Government's education plans. The ex NUT president and candidate for national general secretary, visited three local primary schools and Central Lancaster
LOCAL voluntary and community organisations are being invited to apply for Grant Aid. Wigan Council's Social Services Committee is asking for applications from groups whose work complements the department. Last year more than £210,000 was paid out in
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has called for the flag to be lowered on the ancient title of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In Parliament, he described the historic Duchy title as "a complete anachronism" which should be abolished. And speaking later
MAYORESS and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillor David and Mrs Betty Craig, popped in to Parr Nursing Home to help mark a very special milestone when resident Mrs Catherine Killilea celebrated her 100th birthday. Catherine, who has 13 grandchildren, 16
DISABLED sports-mad youngsters, first-aiders and unselfish carers will not forget Millennium Mayor Bill Smith. The Tyldesley man and Hindsford councillor announced his charities at yesterday's (Wednesday) Mayor-making ceremony in Wigan Council Chamber
A MOTHER-of-two who bit a policewoman, has been cleared of an assault charge. Maria Preston, 30, who accepted she bit WPC Karen Hignett's thigh, last July 20, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm by a Burnley Crown Court jury, after
A LANCASTER bobby contacted the Citizen this week to warn the people of the city against buying goods on their doorstep. He felt he had to make the warning after a recent case. PC Paul Gooch explained: "We had a 26-year-old in Preston prison for a number
A £150,000 scheme to give a bright new look to Bridge Street, Earlestown, will begin next month. It builds on the work already successfully carried out by St Helens Council to improve key shopping areas. Like most old shopping areas, poor parking and
GREATER Manchester Police's helicopter was scrambled when two suspected burglars smashed into three vehicles during their getaway. The men abandoned their stolen car in Bury New Road, Whitefield, after a double collision, and made off on foot. But one
THE controversial issue of CCTV security cameras in Pendle has been switched back on after Labour and Tory councillors combined to press ahead with investigations into how they can be funded. Pendle Council officers have been asked to look into all avenues
SEVEN hours of argument has left Pendle Council with no leader and no party in control, after moves by Labour to take the helm were blocked by their Liberal rivals. Labour was prepared to run the council as a minority administration but the move was voted
THE 1998 Poppy Appeal awards were presented to cadets at the Castle Armoury TA Centre in Bury this week. The cadets and their units have played an important part in the appeal for many years. A cadet from each of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force
FORMER Saints skipper Bobbie Goulding has been ordered to carry out 240 hours community service and pay more than £3,200 in costs and compensation after admitting attacking two men during a row over a taxi. A jury at Chester Crown Court was told that
EUROVISION fever is coming to town with the UK's hopes of glory in Jerusalem resting on the shoulders of Prestwich singer Jennifer Frost. Bookmakers have her all-girl band, Precious, favourites to win the contest on May 29. The band are also keeping a
